My spouse is an instructor at a school that is 2 1/2 hours away from our home so we he has been renting near his place of work. Can we deduct rent or other expenses ?

No, not unless he is Self-Employed. 

If he is paid as a W-2 employee he cannot take any job related expenses. 

That was allowed at one time and may be allowed again, but not for tax year 2023.